As I sit here on the roof top at night, observing the city below and the stars above, I can't help but be amazed at God's creative abilities. I'm completely overwhelmed by God's faithfulness as I think back to the past four weeks of DTS. Each week contains its own little compartment of memories and knowledge gained from my lecturers and experiences. I will do my best to explain weeks six through nine of my DTS. My apologies as this update is way overdue!
Week 6 was mini-out reach! Me and my team traveled to Taidong in order to partner with a Church there called "Guan Shan Presbyterian Church." It took five hours to get there by train. Thankfully I was passed out on my seat in the train so the time to get there flew by fast. During our week there we helped clean the storage space in the church and organized over eighty years worth of books! We visited an elementary school and did a skit for the kids. It was wonderful seeing these kids faces and happy reactions to our skit. Later that week we visited two different nursing homes and were able to do a skit and worship songs at both places. I will never forget the elderly women who kept smiling at me and said "hen piaoliang." over and over. This means very beautiful. She was very sweet and said that all she wanted to do was watch me because I was so beautiful. This truly touched my heart. When my group had free time during that week we would all get on a our bikes and would peddle through the mountains and open rice fields. Through these experiences I learned that I serve a God who is bold and bright. I also learned that He see's me as his own very beautiful creation. I loved that this elderly women could see me as God sees me.
Week seven was on the topic of "Spiritual Gifts". During this week I was not only able to connect with God on a more intimate level, but I also was able to experience God's faithfulness to me. I learned that I can live a life that is overflowing with the Holy Spirit by simply praying, worshiping, and being receptive to the leading of the Spirit. One of my highlights during this week was getting Ice-cream with my amazing one on one who's name is Wei-I. I love laughing and talking with this women about modern art, bacon on Ice cream, and dog meat (strange, I know). On a more serious note, I greatly appreciate the the time she has invested in discipling me and praying for me. Our hangouts are so much fun!
Week eight was on the topic of "Father Heart of God." During this week I got a better understanding of the character of God and his love for me. God is a gentle father. He loves me with great care and enjoys being with me. He not only loves me but he also likes me and wants to be close with me. His love for me is not based on works. God's love is not given on a basis of my strength. I must look to the cross to understand what real love looks like. When I look at the cross I see that God's love is holy. A holy love seeks the best in the one loved. A holy love is undeserved. A holy love is sacrificial. Jesus did a perfect job at displaying this kind of love while here on earth. Another revelation that I had during this week was that jesus knew me before the foundation of the world. To know someone is incredibly personal. God is the only one who knows me better than I know myself. In addition to what I learned in lecture, I loved getting to do family night on Wednesday of week 8. We had some amazing chicken and curry that night made by the DTS students. Soon after the staff surprised us students by dressing up in disguises and hiding amongst a sea of people on YingZhuan Lu road. It was our job to find all nine of them in 45 min. We only found two! We then headed back to the dorm for some chocolate cake to celebrate three birthdays that are taking place this month; mine, Jennifer, and Joseph. It was such a fun night! I also enjoyed a bike ride to Bali with my classmate Asher!
Week nine was on the topic of "Relationships." During this week I learned about the four different types of relationships that exist between me and God. We also looked at relationship with parents, acquaintances, average friends, special friends, boy/ girl friend, and marriage. I learned the importance of learning the needs of those around me if I truly wish to be fluent in their love language. I learned that God's purpose for marriage is: One man and one women in every area, reaching deep satisfying unity: completing God's purpose, together glorifying God. This week was the first time I feel I got a true full picture what what God intended marriage to be. I'll be remembering that for when I get married someday. Besides learning all this new and wonderful information about relationships, me and my classmates went out for Hot Pot last night. This was our second birthday celebration! After stuffing ourselves full of amazing food we walked down to riverside to enjoy the beautiful weather we're having and to walk off our food babies. Our night concluded with face masks and uncontrollable laughter courtesy of Jenna and Steven.
The following photos are from the past four weeks in no particular order... enjoy the explosion of jpgs.
~To God be the Glory~
